How to take down an empire with voices in your head

24. Meanwhile, at Mc Puffy's

It was dark, so incredibly dark. And cold, colder than he's ever felt.

The cold made the burning pressure on his chest intensify as he finally realized it. His eyes were closed and he reached his weak arms up to his chest, hissing as he gripped onto his shirt.

But then he heard voices. They were distant and sounded as if he was underwater, but they were there. Then a wave of air pressed against his skin and he realized his shirt was torn.

He opened his eyes, shooting up. He blinked furiously, trying to figure out where he was. His head was spinning and his chest was screaming in pain. But he managed to become aware of the tile under his hands.

"Ranboo?"

He jumped at the voice, turning to see two figures standing. 'How can a voice be so loud yet far away?' It was a mystery, but the figures kept getting closer- and it was terribly intimidating.

There was a loud humming in his head, one that belonged to the ender side of him. Of course, being on edge by the pain in his chest and no knowledge of where he was became topped with these two figures to his growing stress. And when he's stressed, Ranboo's endermen side is most likely to come out.

"Ranboo what are you saying?" The voice asked again and Ranboo rushed to his feet, ignoring how much it hurt. 'Was I talking?'

Everything was too blurred. All he could see was white and red surroundings with two colourful figures standing in front of him. Ranboo shut his eyes, 'Maybe this is some weird dream.'

When was panicking for sure. His heartbeat was almost harsh and hurtful at its speed and his head was spinning just as quick. He looked down, gasping at the large wound in his chest. 'How did that happen? I mean that explains the pain but how?'

The voice called a third time and his eyes shot up, meeting pale blue ones. His panic only raised as he stared into them. Then the second figure came closer and Ranboo jumped back at the object in their hands. He couldn't tell what it was, his vision was still too blurry, but it looked sharp and he wasn't too fond of getting another wound like the one that was wanting him to fall to his knees.

He leaned on what he felt was a concrete textured wall, shutting his eyes tightly. Breathing became hard and the only thing he seemed to focus on was the pain in his chest beside the same question surging through his head without an answer, 'What is happening?'

Niki had no clue what to do, turning to Captain Puffy, "What do we do?" Puffy was tense, worry spread across her face, "We just try to help."

"But how?" Niki asked as she stepped towards Ranboo. "He doesn't even seem to hear me."

Puffy bit her lip in frustration, glancing around the room as if it would give her an answer. 'I'm supposed to be good at this. Helping people is my job. God this is bad.'

She joined Niki at Ranboo's side, being slow and careful to place a hand on his shoulder, "Ranboo, can you hear me?" Puffy didn't receive an answer, only Ranboo tensing up at her touch. But that means he was somewhat aware of his surroundings, "Ranboo you need to sit down."

Ranboo's gaze lifted from the floor to them, an odd look on his face and his breathing was loud and quick. Puffy tried to put a smile on her face, "Can you hear me?"

In return, Ranboo made a strange and low noise, nothing similar to the human language. Puffy reached out to him and his strange noises only continued. But then he shoved Puffy back, not enough to topple her over but still a shove. 

Ranboo seemed to be looking all over the room as if in search of something. Finding Niki in his vision to which Niki backed up and pulled out her shield, "Ranboo what's going on?"

Unfortunate to them, the shield only made Ranboo think they wanted to fight. He was panicking and clueless, only trying to defend himself. So when Puffy stood back up, the previous sharp object in her hand and joining Niki's side, neither of them expected when Ranoo reached out to them.

And of course, Niki hadn't raised her shield yet, resulting in a sudden and stinging pain. It took a second for both of them to realize what had happened, and Niki hissed at her lower arm, clenching it as her shield dropped to the floor. Puffy picked it up immediately, stepping in front of Niki.

Just as it looked like Ranboo was going to reach out again, his statue stiffened, freezing where he stood. Something changed in his eyes before a wave of shock took over them.

"Ranboo?" Niki asked as she glanced up from her arm. "Can you hear me now?"

His mouth was agape, so he slowly nodded. Puffy sighed out of relief, lowering the shield and stepping towards him.

"God, what happened? You actually just slashed Niki's arm-"

"I- what? Huh?" Ranboo finally spoke, but it was a mumble. Before either of them could answer, he was rushing out of the building.

"So what the fuck happened?" Puffy's voice was laced in confusion and her brows were furrowed. Niki was on her way out as well, still gripping onto her arm. But Puffy tugged on her shoulder, "Don't. I need to take care of this."

"But he ran off," Niki tried walking again, "It's just bleeding I'm fine."

"Just let me, Niki." Puffy pulled her back in.

"You're not a doctor."

"You're not ok."

It was silent as Niki's eyes switched between the door and Puffy, but she let out a huff, deciding to stay, "I don't like this but fine."